People Power Party to Propose Party Bill to Amend Criminal Procedure Act to Maintain Supplementary Investigation Authority

Party to Officially Pursue One-Year Delay
in Implementation of Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act and Prosecution Service Agency Act

On July 13, the People Power Party announced its decision to propose a party-backed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act to maintain the supplementary investigation rights of prosecutors, countering the Democratic Party’s move to abolish these powers. In addition, the party decided to push for delaying the implementation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act and the Public Prosecution Service Act by one year, to October next year, as part of its party platform.

Jeong Jeongsik, floor leader of the People Power Party, is performing the national anthem at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on June 29, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Kwak Gyutaek, Legal Advisory Committee Chairman, stated that this decision was made at a general meeting of party members held at the National Assembly that afternoon. Chairman Kwak explained, “Regarding the Criminal Procedure Act, we plan to maintain the prosecutors’ supplementary investigation rights as they are and to develop supplementary measures concerning cases that the police currently close independently.”

Chairman Kwak also said that the proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act will include a provision to remove prosecutors’ authority to withdraw indictments altogether. Additionally, it will incorporate measures that allow prosecutors and judicial police officers to conduct joint investigations from the early stages for serious crimes, such as the recent murder case involving a high school girl in Gwangju.

The amendment is also expected to include measures for more effective disciplinary action if the police refuse the prosecutor’s request for supplementary investigation. Chairman Kwak stated, “If a judicial police officer fails to comply with a request for supplementary investigation or does not properly implement corrective measures, a provision will be included to require disciplinary action to be formally resolved, thereby ensuring such action is effective. The specific bill will be proposed later this week.”

Meanwhile, regarding the People Power Party’s boycott of the National Assembly’s committee formation, the party decided to temporarily delegate authority on this matter to floor leader Jeong Jeongsik. Kim Taegyu, the party’s chief spokesperson in the Assembly, said, “The lack of committee formation is due to the unilateral attitude of the ruling party,” adding, “Going forward, the party has agreed to leave decisions on this matter to the floor leader.”

Addressing National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeongsik’s call to complete the committee formation process by Constitution Day, the party said, “Since the ruling party is pushing ahead unilaterally, it is difficult for the People Power Party to find an easy solution. We will continue to deliberate sincerely and seek alternatives.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.